Growing chasm between European partners

The French and Germans are divided in their attitudes toward their leaders and their economic futures, writes Frederick Kempe

OCCASIONALLY a public opinion survey surfaces that signals a seismic event. That is the case with a report from the Pew Research Center that measures the widening tremors of a political earthquake now shaking Europe.

Although the report leads with evidence that Europeans are increasingly losing faith in the EU (which I wrote about here), the more troubling problem is the fast-growing divide between France and Germany. This schism is ripping apart the bonds that have held Europe together for 60 years — just when they are most urgently needed.